Seed inductor for an agricultural implement having an adjustable air bypass

ABSTRACT

A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising an air bypass channel extending through a particulate material supply chamber, wherein the particulate material supply chamber is configured to receive the particulate material for distribution to at least one row unit, and the air bypass channel is configured to guide airflow through the particulate material supply chamber without interacting with a flow of the particulate material through the particulate material supply chamber, and an airflow control device in communication with the inductor segment and configured to control the airflow through the air bypass channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/737,873, entitled “SEED INDUCTOR FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVINGAN ADJUSTABLE AIR BYPASS,” filed Jan. 9, 2013, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to ground working equipment, such asagricultural equipment, and more specifically, to an inductor box for apneumatic distribution system of an agricultural implement.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. These planting implements typically includemultiple row units distributed across the width of the implement. Eachrow unit is configured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath thesoil surface, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit may include a ground engaging tool or opener (e.g., anopener disc) that forms a seeding path for seed deposition into thesoil. In certain configurations, a gauge wheel is positioned a verticaldistance above the opener to establish a desired trench depth for seeddeposition into the soil. As the implement travels across a field, theopener excavates a trench into the soil, and seeds are deposited intothe trench. In certain row units, the opener is followed by a packerwheel that packs the soil on top of the deposited seeds.

Certain planting implements include a remote seed tank, and a pneumaticdistribution system configured to convey seeds from the tank to each rowunit. For example, the pneumatic distribution system may include aninductor box positioned beneath the seed tank. The inductor box isconfigured to receive seeds from the tank, to fluidize the seeds into anair/seed mixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the rowunits via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. Each row unit, in turn,receives the seeds from the pneumatic hoses/conduits, and directs theseeds to a metering system. The metering system is configured to providea flow of seeds to a seed tube for deposition into the soil. Byoperating the metering system at a particular speed, a desired seedspacing may be established as the implement traverses a field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receiveparticulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, aninductor segment comprising an air bypass channel extending through aparticulate material supply chamber, wherein the particulate materialsupply chamber is configured to receive the particulate material fordistribution to at least one row unit, and the air bypass channel isconfigured to guide airflow through the particulate material supplychamber without interacting with a flow of the particulate materialthrough the particulate material supply chamber, and an airflow controldevice in communication with the inductor segment and configured tocontrol the airflow through the air bypass channel.

In another embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor box including, aparticulate material supply chamber configured to receive particulatematerial from a particulate material source, an air supply chamberconfigured to receive airflow from an airflow supply for use inconveying particulate material through the inductor box, and an airbypass channel configured to guide airflow from the air supply chamberthrough the particulate material supply chamber without interacting witha flow of the particulate material through the particulate materialsupply chamber, and an airflow control device configured to control theairflow through the air bypass channel.

In a further embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor segment including, aparticulate material supply chamber configured to receive particulatematerial from a particulate material tank and a first airflow from anair source, a particulate material delivery chamber configured toreceive the particulate material from the particulate materialfluidization chamber and to distribute the particulate material to atleast one row unit, an air bypass channel extending through theparticulate material supply chamber and configured to direct a secondairflow through the particulate material supply chamber and into theparticulate material delivery chamber without interacting with theparticulate material in the particulate material supply chamber, and anairflow control device configured to control the airflow through the airbypass channel.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement configured to deposit particulate material into a soilsurface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particulate materialtank coupled to an inductor box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inductor box;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an inductorbox;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional rear view of an embodiment of an inductorbox;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional rear view of an embodiment of an inductorbox with an airflow control device;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device;

FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of an airflow controldevice;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of an airflow controldevice;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the airflow control device ofFIG. 9, taken along line 10-10;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control devicewithin an air bypass channel; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of another embodiment of an airflow controldevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentinvention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 configured to deposit particulate material into a soilsurface. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement 10 is configuredto be towed along a direction of travel 12 by a work vehicle, such as atractor or other prime mover. The work vehicle may be coupled to theimplement 10 by a hitch assembly 14. As illustrated, the hitch assembly14 is coupled to a main frame assembly 16 of the implement 10 tofacilitate towing of the implement 10 in the direction of travel 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the frame assembly 16 is coupled to a toolbar 18 that supports multiple row units 20. Each row unit 20 isconfigured to deposit particulate material (e.g., seeds) at a desireddepth beneath the soil surface, thereby establishing rows of plantedseeds. The implement 10 also includes particulate material tanks 22, anda pneumatic distribution system 24 configured to convey particulatematerial from the tanks to the row units 20. In certain embodiments, thepneumatic distribution system includes an inductor box positionedbeneath each particulate material tank 22. Each inductor box isconfigured to receive particulate material from a respective tank, tofluidize the particulate material into an air-particulate materialmixture, and to distribute the air-particulate material mixture to therow units 20 via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits (i.e., thepneumatic distribution system 24).

In certain embodiments, each row unit 20 includes a residue manager, anopening assembly, a particulate material tube, closing discs, and apress wheel. The residue manager includes a rotating wheel havingmultiple tillage points or fingers that break up crop residue, therebypreparing the soil for particulate material deposition. The openingassembly includes a gauge wheel and an opener disc. The gauge wheel maybe positioned a vertical distance above the opener disc to establish adesired trench depth for particulate material deposition into the soil.As the row unit travels across a field, the opener disc excavates atrench into the soil for particulate material deposition. Theparticulate material tube, which may be positioned behind the openingassembly, directs a particulate material from a metering system into theexcavated trench. The closing discs then direct the excavated soil intothe trench to cover the planted particulate material. Finally, the presswheel packs the soil on top of the particulate material with a desiredpressure.

While the illustrated implement 10 includes 24 row units 20, it shouldbe appreciated that alternative implements may include more or fewer rowunits 20. For example, certain implements 10 may include 6, 8, 12, 16,24, 32, or 36 row units, or more. In addition, the spacing between rowunits may be particularly selected based on the type of crop beingplanting. For example, the row units may be spaced 30 inches from oneanother for planting corn, and 15 inches from one another for plantingsoy beans.

As mentioned above, the pneumatic distribution system 24 includes aninductor box configured to receive particulate material (e.g., seeds)from a respective tank. Depending on the desired application, thepneumatic distribution system may distribute a wide variety of seeds(e.g., light seeds, heavy seeds, large seeds, small seeds, etc). Theinductor box fluidizes the particulate material from the tank 22 into anair-particulate material mixture for distribution to the row units 20through a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the row units 20 are positioned at different distances from the tanks22. The varying distances between the row units 20 and the tanks 22varies the flow of particulate material through the pneumaticdistribution system 24. For example, the flow path may be shorter forrow units near the inductor box, and larger for row units farther fromthe inductor box. Accordingly, the pneumatic distribution system 24 mayinclude an airflow control device(s) to control particulate materialflow through the inductor box. By controlling the airflow through theinductor box, the airflow control device(s) establishes a desiredparticulate material flow to each of the row units 20, thereby reducingthe possibility of starvation and/or overfilling of the row units.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particulate materialtank 22 coupled to an inductor box 40. The particulate material tank 22includes an opening 38 for receiving particulate material (e.g., seeds,etc.) for storage in the tank 22. The tank 22 secures the particulatematerial inside using a lid 42 that selectively covers the opening 38.The lid 42 securely attaches to the tank 22 with multiple fasteners 44.On the opposite side of the tank 22 from the lid is the inductor box 40.The inductor box 40 attaches to the bottom of the tank 22 and receivesgravity fed particulate material for fluidization. The inductor box 40includes a housing 46 that is coupled to the tank 22 with bolts 48.Moreover, the inductor box 40 includes an air supply port 50, andmultiple inductor segments 52. It is through the air supply port 50 thatthe inductor box 40 receives airflow from an air supply (e.g., a fan, ablower, etc.). The airflow from the air supply enables the inductor box40 to fluidize the particulate material and to pressurize the tank 22.In some embodiments, the tank 22 may be made of a flexible material thatexpands when pressurized with airflow from the air supply. As will beexplained in greater detail below, the inductor box 40 controls airflowfrom the air supply into a series of air pathways with an air controldevice(s). The airflow control device(s) controls particulate materialflow from the inductor segments 52 to the row units 20, thus reducingoverfilling or underfilling the row units 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inductor box 40. Asillustrated, the inductor box 40 includes multiple inductor segments 52disposed within a chamber 60 formed by the inductor box housing 46. Inthe illustrated embodiment, there are eight inductor segments 52.However, other embodiments may include a different number of inductorsegments 52 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more). As mentionedabove, the particulate material enters the inductor segments 52 from thetank and the particulate material is fluidized (i.e., mixed with air).Once the particulate material is fluidized, the air-particulate materialmixture exits the inductor box 40 through particulate material deliveryports 62 in the inductor segments 52.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an inductorbox 40 coupled to the tank 22. As illustrated, the inductor box 40 iscoupled to the tank 22 with bolts 48. The inductor box 40 surrounds aparticulate material outlet(s) 66 of the tank 22, thereby enablingparticulate material to exit the tank 22 and enter the inductor box 40.More specifically, as the particulate material exits the tank 22, in adirection 68, the particulate material enters the inductor segment(s)52. As explained above, the inductor box 40 includes an inductor segment52 disposed within the inductor box chamber 60. The top of the inductorsegment 52 includes two surfaces 70 and 72. The surfaces 70 and 72 maybe angled to facilitate flow of particulate material into the inductorsegment 52. As particulate material travels through the inductor segment52, the particulate material passes through a series of chambers beforeexiting through the particulate material delivery port 62. The chambersin the inductor segment 52 include a particulate material supply chamber74, a fluidization chamber 76, and a particulate material deliverychamber 78.

The angled surfaces 70 and 72 channel the particulate material from thetank 22 into the particulate material supply chamber 74 through aparticulate material supply chamber inlet 80. The particulate materialsupply chamber 74 guides the particulate material from the particulatematerial supply chamber inlet 80 to the particulate material supplychamber outlet 86 via a first wall 82 and a second wall 84. Asillustrated, the walls 82 and 84 include respective vertical portions 88and 90, as well as respective angled portions 92 and 94. As theparticulate material flows through the particulate material supplychamber 74, the angled portions 92 and 94 of the walls 82 and 84 directthe particulate material toward the particulate material supply chamberoutlet 86 at a base 96 of the inductor box 40.

Airflow from the air supply then conveys the particulate materialthrough the particulate material supply chamber outlet 86 and into thefluidization chamber 76. The fluidization chamber 76 includes a firstwall 98 and shares the second wall 84 of the particulate material supplychamber 74. In order to fluidize the particulate material, thefluidization chamber 76 creates a vortex 100 between the walls 98 and84. The vortex 100 separates and mixes the particulate material with theairflow (i.e., the vortex 100 enables the particulate material tofluidize) before the particulate material flows to the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78. When the airflow through fluidizationchamber 76 reaches a sufficient level the particulate material iscarried out of the fluidization chamber 76 and into the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78. At that point more particulate material isallowed to flow into the fluidization chamber 76. In the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78, airflow from an air bypass channel 102 andairflow from the fluidization chamber 76 conveys the particulatematerial out of the particulate material delivery chamber 78, throughthe particulate material delivery port 62, and to the row units 20. Insome embodiments, the inductor box 40 includes an airflow control device104 that controls the particulate material flow through the inductorsegment 52. In the present embodiment, the airflow control device 104 isa baffle. However, in other embodiments, the airflow control device 104may be a plug. As illustrated, the airflow control device 104 may coupleto the inductor segment 52 with retention features 106. As will beexplained in more detail below, the airflow control device 104 maycontrol airflow through each of the air bypass channels 102, and thusthe flow of particulate material out of each inductor segment 52.

As explained above, the inductor box 40 includes the air supply port 50for receiving airflow from an air supply that pressurizes the tank 22and conveys particulate material through the inductor segment 52. Theairflow from the air supply passes through the air supply port 50 andenters an air supply chamber 108. The air supply chamber 108 extendsthrough the inductor box 40 in a generally perpendicular direction tothe flow path through the inductor segments 52, thereby supplying eachinductor segment 52 with airflow.

The air supply chamber 108 divides the airflow from the air supply intofour airflow paths numbered 110, 112, 114, and 116. The first airflowpath 110 passes through the first screen 64 and enters the particulatematerial supply chamber 74. As the airflow through the first airflowpath 110 enters the particulate material supply chamber 74, the airflowengages the particulate material and urges the particulate material inthe direction 68. For example, when using light particulate material(e.g., sunflower seeds, sweet corn seeds), the airflow through theairflow path 110 reduces blockage of the particulate material supplychamber 74 by providing additional force (in addition to gravity) tomove the particulate material through the particulate material supplychamber 74.

While the airflow through the first airflow path 110 facilitates urgingthe particulate material in the direction 68 through the particulatematerial supply chamber 74, the airflow through the second airflow path112 conveys the particulate material out of the particulate materialsupply chamber 74 and into the fluidization chamber 76. The airflowthrough the second airflow path 112 flows through a second screen 118.The second screen 118 is coupled to the first wall 82 and to the base 96of the inductor box 40. The second screen 118, like the first screen 64,blocks the particulate material from entering the air supply chamber108.

A third airflow path 114 flows through the first screen 64 and into thetank 22. The airflow in the third airflow path 114 pressurizes andexpands the tank 22. However, in some embodiments, the lid 42 may notcreate a fluid tight seal with the tank 22. Accordingly, airflow in thethird airflow path 114 may provide continuous airflow into the tank 22to replace pressurized air lost through leaks in the lid 42. As aresult, airflow from the first airflow path 110 is able to flow throughthe particulate material supply chamber 74, and the airflow in thesecond airflow path 112 is able to convey the particulate material intothe fluidization chamber 76. In other words, the airflow in the thirdairflow path 114 pressurizes the tank 22, thus equalizing pressurewithin the system.

The airflow in the fourth airflow path 116 flows from the air supplychamber 108 through the air bypass channel 102 and into the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78. The air bypass channel 102 is disposedwithin the particulate material supply chamber 74 and extends betweenthe first particulate material supply chamber wall 82 and the secondparticulate material supply chamber wall 84. The walls 82 and 84 includerespective apertures 120 and 122 that enable the airflow of the fourthairflow path 116 to pass through the air bypass channel 102. The airbypass channel 102 is oriented in a generally crosswise direction to theparticulate material flow through the particulate material supplychamber 74 and is substantially in line with the particulate materialdelivery port 62. Moreover, the air bypass channel 102 is positionedabove the fluidization chamber 76 to enable the airflow from the fourthairflow path 116 to urge the particulate material exiting thefluidization chamber 76 into the particulate material delivery port 62for delivery to the row units 20.

As explained above, the airflow from the air supply chamber 108 isdivided into four airflow paths numbered 110, 112, 114, and 116. Thefirst airflow path 110, second airflow path 112, and the fourth airflowpath 116 flow through the inductor segment. The flow rate of the airflowthrough anyone of these three airflow paths (i.e., 110, 112, and 116)affects the flow rate of the airflow through the remaining airflow pathsin the inductor segment. For example, decreasing the flow rate of theairflow through the fourth airflow path 116 increases the flow rate ofthe airflow through the first airflow path 110 and the second airflowpath 112. As a result, the first airflow path 110 and the second airflowpath 112 convey more particulate material through the inductor segments52 to the row units 20. Similarly, increasing the flow rate of theairflow through the fourth airflow path 116 will decrease the airflowflowing through the first airflow path 110 and the second airflow path112. The decrease in the airflow through the first airflow path 110 andthe second airflow path 112 will reduce the particulate materialmovement through the inductor segments 52 to the row units 20.

FIG. 5 is a rear cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inductorbox 40 with multiple inductor segments 52. Each of the inductor segments52 delivers particulate material to one or more row units 20. In thepresent embodiment, there are eight inductor segments 52. However,different embodiments may include different numbers of inductor segments(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more inductor segments). In thepresent embodiment, the inductor box 40 does not include an airflowcontrol device. Accordingly, particulate material flow will be generallyequal through each of the inductor segments 52 assuming an equal amountof backpressure from each of the delivery conduits (i.e., each conduitis the same length and has the same cross sectional area).

FIG. 6 is a rear cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an inductorbox 40 with an airflow control device 104 positioned adjacent to the airbypass channels 102 in each of the inductor segments 52. As explainedabove, the row units 20 are positioned at different distances from theinductor box 40. The varying distances between the row units 20 and theinductor box 40 affects the flow rate of particulate material throughthe pneumatic distribution system 24. Accordingly, by controlling theairflow through the inductor box, the airflow control device 104controls the flow of particulate material to the row units 20, whichreduces the possibility of starvation and/or overfilling the row unitswith particulate material. In the present embodiment, the airflowcontrol device 104 is a baffle with multiple apertures 124. Asillustrated, the apertures 124 differ in size. The size of the apertures124 is selected such that each row unit 20 receives an approximatelyequal flow rate of particulate material from a corresponding inductorsegment 52. For example, the apertures 124 in the flow control device104 will be larger for inductor segments 52 that send particulatematerial to row units 20 closer to the inductor box 40. The increase inairflow through the air bypass channel 102 reduces the airflow throughthe second airflow path 110 and the third airflow path 112, whichdecreases particulate material flow rates through inductor segments 52that feed the row units 20, thereby reducing the possibility of the rowunits overfilling. Likewise, the apertures 124 in the airflow controldevice 104 will be smaller for inductor segments 52 that sendparticulate material to row units 20 farther away from the inductor box40. The decrease in airflow through the air bypass channel 102 increasesthe airflow through the second airflow path 110 and the third airflowpath 112, which increases particulate material flow rates throughinductor segments 52 that feed the row units 20 further away from theinductor box 40, preventing the row units 20 from starving. In thepresent embodiment, the size of the apertures 124 increase toward thecenter of the air control device 102. However, different embodiments mayhave a different arrangement (e.g., apertures 124 that increase in sizefrom left to right, apertures 124 that increase in size from right toleft, apertures 124 that decrease in size from the center out, orapertures 124 that may alternate in size across the air flow controldevice 104). The aperture sizes and arrangement depend on which inductorsegments 52 feed each row unit 20 and the distance between each row unit20 and the inductor box 40.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device104. In the present embodiment, the airflow control device 104 is abaffle 130. The baffle 130 restricts airflow through a single inductorsegment 52. The baffle 130 includes a circular aperture 132 that enablesairflow to pass through the baffle 130 and into an air bypass channel102. In other embodiments, the baffle 130 may include more than oneaperture (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more apertures) and form differentshapes depending on the desired particulate material flow rates througha particular inductor segment 52. Accordingly, embodiments with multipleinductor segments 52 may include multiple corresponding baffles 130having different numbers and/or sizes of apertures 132.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device104. As illustrated, the airflow control device 104 is a baffle 140 withmultiple apertures 142. As explained above, the distance between theinductor box 40 and the row units 20 affects the flow of particulatematerial through the pneumatic distribution system 24. Accordingly, theapertures 142 increase or decrease airflow to different inductorsegments 52 depending on which row units 20 the inductor segments 52feed. In the present embodiment, the size of the apertures 142 increasestoward the center of the air flow control device 104. However, differentembodiments may have a different arrangement (e.g., apertures 142 thatincrease in size from left to right, apertures 142 that increase in sizefrom right to left, apertures 124 that decrease in size from the centerout, or apertures 142 that may alternate in size across the air flowcontrol device 104). The aperture sizes and arrangement on the baffle140 depend on which inductor segments 52 feed each row unit 20 and thedistance between the row units 20 and the inductor box 40. Moreover,some or all of the apertures 142 may include a screen 144. The screen144 enables airflow to pass through but blocks particulate material fromback-flowing through the air bypass channel 102 and entering the airsupply chamber 108. Accordingly, the baffle 140 may serve two functions.First, the baffle 140 may control airflow through the air bypasschannels 102 with the apertures 142, thereby influencing particulatematerial flow through the inductor segments 52. Second, the baffle 140may block or limit particulate material from backflowing through the airbypass channel 102 and entering the air supply chamber 108.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device104. In the present embodiment, the airflow control device 104 is aflapper baffle 150. The flapper baffle 150 includes a flap 152 thatrests within an aperture 154. In the present embodiment, the flapperbaffle 150 controls airflow through a single inductor segment 52.However, in other embodiments, a large baffle may include multipleapertures 154 with respective flaps 152. For example, a single flapperbaffle 150 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more apertures154 with corresponding flaps 152, depending on the number of inductorsegments 52. Moreover, each of the apertures 154 may vary in sizedepending on the desired airflow through a particulate inductor segment52.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the flapperbaffle 150. During operation, airflow in the direction 156 induces theflap 152 to move in the direction 156, thereby opening the aperture 154and enabling airflow to pass through the air bypass channel(s) 102. Whenthe airflow stops, the flap 152 moves in the direction 158 and returnsto a position of rest within the aperture 154, thereby blocking flow inthe direction 158.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device104 within an air bypass channel 102. In the present embodiment, theairflow control device 104 is a plug 160. The plug 160 rests within theair bypass channel 102 and includes an aperture 162 to control airflow.The plug 160 may control airflow through the air bypass channel 102 byvarying the size of the aperture 162 (i.e., increasing or decreasing thesize of the aperture 162), or by including additional apertures 162(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more apertures). As explained above, theinductor segments 52 feed different row units 20 at different distancesfrom the inductor box 40. Accordingly, the aperture(s) 162 in the plug160 may be selected to control airflow through the bypass channel 102 ofa corresponding inductor segment, which increases or decreases the flowof particulate material through the inductor segment 52.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an embodiment of an airflow control device170. As illustrated, the airflow control device 170 is a baffle 172 withan aperture 174. As explained above, the distance between the inductorbox 40 and the row units 20 affects the flow of particulate materialthrough the pneumatic distribution system 24. Accordingly, the aperture174 may vary in size from a first end 176 to a second end 178. Forexample, the first end 176 may define an aperture width 180 and thesecond end 178 may define an aperture width 182. As illustrated, theaperture 174 may taper between the first end 176 with an aperture width180 that is greater than the width 182 on the second end 178. In anotherembodiment, the aperture 174 may taper between the second end 178 withthe aperture width 182 that is greater than the width 180 on the firstend 176. In still other embodiments, the aperture 174 may have equalaperture widths 180 and 182 that do not change between the first end 176and the second end 178, creating a uniform aperture opening. However, inother embodiments the width of the aperture 174 may increase anddecrease from the first end to the second end (e.g., the aperture 174may form an hourglass shape, pear-shape, diamond shape, etc.).Accordingly, with a single aperture 174 the airflow control device 170may vary the airflow to different inductor segments 52 depending onwhich row units 20 the inductor segments 52 feed.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

1. A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implementcomprising: an inductor box comprising: at least one particulatematerial supply chamber configured to receive particulate material froma particulate material source; an air supply chamber configured toreceive an airflow from an airflow supply; and at least one air bypasschannel configured to guide the airflow from the air supply chamberthrough the at least one particulate material supply chamber withoutinteracting with a flow of the particulate material through the at leastone particulate material supply chamber; and at least one airflowcontrol device configured to control the airflow through the at leastone air bypass channel.
 2. The particulate material delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one airflow control device is positionedadjacent to an inlet of the at least one air bypass channel.
 3. Theparticulate material delivery system of claim 1, wherein the inductorbox includes a plurality of inductor segments, the at least one airbypass channel comprises a plurality of air bypass channels, eachinductor segment of the plurality of inductor segments includes arespective air bypass channel of the plurality of air bypass channels,and each air bypass channel of the plurality of air bypass channelsincludes a respective inlet and a respective outlet.
 4. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 3, wherein the at least one airflowcontrol device comprises a single airflow control device positionedadjacent to each respective inlet of the plurality of air bypasschannels.
 5. The particulate material delivery system of claim 4,wherein the single airflow control device includes differently sizedapertures configured to control the airflow through the plurality of airbypass channels.
 6. The particulate material delivery system of claim 3,wherein the at least one airflow control device comprises a plurality ofairflow control devices each positioned adjacent to a respective inletof the plurality of air bypass channels.
 7. The particulate materialdelivery system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of airflow controldevices includes differently sized apertures configured to control theairflow though the plurality of air bypass channels.
 8. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 1, wherein the inductor box comprisesat least one particular material delivery chamber configured to receivethe particulate material from the at least one particulate materialsupply chamber and to distribute the particulate material to at leastone row unit.
 9. The particulate material delivery system of claim 1,wherein the at least one airflow control device comprises a baffle, orthe at least one airflow control device comprises a plug configured tobe inserted into the at least one air bypass channel.
 10. A particulatematerial delivery system for an agricultural implement comprising: aninductor segment comprising: a particulate material supply chamberconfigured to receive particulate material from a particulate materialsource and a first airflow from an air source; a particulate materialdelivery chamber configured to receive the particulate material from theparticulate material supply chamber and to distribute the particulatematerial to at least one row unit; an air bypass channel extendingthrough the particulate material supply chamber and configured to directa second airflow through the particulate material supply chamber andinto the particulate material delivery chamber without interacting withthe particulate material in the particulate material supply chamber; andan airflow control device configured to control the airflow through theair bypass channel.
 11. The particulate material delivery system ofclaim 10, wherein the airflow control device comprises a baffle.
 12. Theparticulate material delivery system of claim 10, wherein the airflowcontrol device comprises a plug configured to be inserted into the airbypass channel.
 13. The particulate material delivery system of claim10, comprising an air supply chamber configured to provide the firstairflow from the air source to the particulate material supply chamberand to provide the second airflow from the air source to the air bypasschannel.
 14. A particulate material delivery system for an agriculturalimplement comprising: an inductor box comprising: an air supply chamberconfigured to receive an airflow from an airflow supply; at least oneinductor segment comprising: a particulate material supply chamberconfigured to receive particulate material from a particulate materialsource and a first airflow from the air supply chamber; a particulatematerial delivery chamber configured to receive the particulate materialfrom the particulate material supply chamber and to distribute theparticulate material to at least one row unit; an air bypass channelextending through the particulate material supply chamber and configuredto direct a second airflow from the air supply chamber through theparticulate material supply chamber and into the particulate materialdelivery chamber without interacting with the particulate material inthe particulate material supply chamber; and at least one airflowcontrol device configured to control the airflow through the air bypasschannel of the at least one inductor segment.
 15. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 14, wherein the at least one inductorsegment comprises a plurality of inductor segments, and each inductorsegment of the plurality of inductor segments includes a respective airbypass channel.
 16. The particulate material delivery system of claim15, wherein the at least one airflow control device comprises aplurality of airflow control devices each positioned adjacent to aninlet of a respective air bypass channel.
 17. The particulate materialdelivery system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airflow controldevice comprises a single airflow control device positioned adjacent toan inlet of each respective air bypass channel.
 18. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 14, wherein the air bypass channel issubstantially perpendicular to the air supply chamber.
 19. Theparticulate material delivery system of claim 14, wherein the at leastone airflow control device comprises a baffle.
 20. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 14, wherein the at least one airflowcontrol device comprises a plug configured to be inserted into the airbypass channel of the at least one inductor segment.